Rafa – Everything In Place To Move Forward – Hopefully Mike Can Keep His Word

Written by Dr. Ed Harrison

1:41pm Monday, July 17th, 2017

Commented 27 times

br />

The Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has been speaking to the press in Ireland where the first team squad are at their training camp at Carton House – and Rafa says he is still confident Newcastle can get some transfer business completed this summer.

There was news this morning that Newcastle may have a chance to sign 20 year-old Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo for £10M on a permanent deal and we are still trying to sign 22 year-old Norwich winger Jacob Murphy.

Rafa took an open training session early this morning for the media and fans before he then talked to the press.

Rafa Benitez meets with fans in Ireland as he signs autographs

It’s a difficult transfer window for Newcastle but there is still enough time left to get some good players through the door this summer.

At the moment we are after both Ojo and Murphy but Rafa also wants an experienced goalkeeper brought in – even though Rob Elliot looked in great form on Friday night at Tynecastle with three or four top class saves in the first half of that game.

A striker and a playmaker are the other positions Rafa wants to be strengthened before September rolls around.

This is what Rafa said when asked what his message was to the fans on the transfer front:

“We are working very hard and trying to get as close as possible to some signings.”

“When I had the meeting with Mike Ashley I was confident that after that meeting we have the money available and the wages.”

“Everything is in place to move forward.” “Hopefully, Mike can keep his word and we can do what we want to do.”

“Everybody wants to impress and that’s how it should be at the start of pre-season.

“You know the players already but if they come back and want to impress you want to consider them even more.”

It’s interesting that Rafa refers there to Mike Ashley keeping his word – if he doesn’t we are in trouble with Rafa – that’s for sure.

We are still hoping Newcastle can do some good business soon, and Lee Charnley and team are hopefully working their socks off to get good players in for the manager.

27 comments so far

Interesting words from Rafa – in particular the sentence : “Hopefully, Mike can keep his word and we can do what we want to do.”

Playing Devils Advocate one could read into that, that Mr Tubbs is currently reneging on his promises – so far. Also you could read into it that despite what some folk think – Mr Tubbs is still directly involved in our transfers -otherwise if Penfold was at fault – Rafa would not have named Mr Tubbs.

On Arma if he makes it he makes it. It won’t be for the want of trying or for the lack of opportunity. He was one of the best for his age at international tournaments. Consequently, some folks put him down as failing if he does not go on to be the next Messi. Wrong. He is already playing at a level most of us could only dream about. If he plays in the Championship for the next ten years, that is making it. He’ll be a wealthy young man by 30 and will have made the most of his gifts. That is the essence of being a professional sports person or professional anything for that matter.

‘If Mike keeps his word’ was only one line – well, five words. Well, he certainly had better keep his word! Other words from the interview included ‘the money is available for transfers and wages’ and ‘we’re working hard on transfers’. Time will tell which words are the most relevant.

On Arma, I hope he makes it but it’s a big season for him in his development. Coventry 1st half of season was a big success with the 2nd half really poor. Last season was a write off in terms of end results but he got valuable playing time.

I don’t think he’ll be the next big thing for us, or that he’ll be the next Rooney as that time has been and gone (No dig bobby). I think he can only improve by getting more game time this season at Bolton and hopefully it’s a good loan spell for the lad.

You share my thoughts though you should be prepared to be labelled as a pessimist – as I was when I posted similar sentiments a couple of weeks ago. I hope we’re wrong and Rafa’s dealings with our owner deliver to Rafa’s satisfaction.

Over to you Mikey boy and tell your henchman Barnes to sign off whatever’s agreed. Oh, sorry Mike, I forgot you’ve left things to Rafa and Charnley, haven’t you?

“When I had the meeting with Mike Ashley I was confident that after that meeting we have the money available and the wages”

Which then follows on with things being in place and that he hopes Mike keeps his word. It’s an interesting way to make a point from rafa, especially putting the onus Ashley as the ball is in his court…..and more importantly he’s on record with it.

Our Toon, none taken. He was playing better at 17 than he did at Barnsley, but Tbf, long ball isn’t his game. At Coventry, many of those providing the assists went back to their parent clubs in January. Look what happened when they all left – relegation. Most of us will hope he has a great season at Bolton and comes back all the better for it….most of us.

@Posada – agree with that, and Arma will 100% make it in the top 2 tiers, already shown he was too good for league one, juries out if he’ll make it at Newcastle mind, personally I can’t see it myself as we have very limited striking options yet their still shipping him out. Personally think making it would all depend on one chance at the right time and for me that was probably last season when he would for my money have been better off staying from January. Newcastle fan base is interesting: Build players up far too high and then tear them to shreds when they don’t hit impossible standards yet put up with absolute tripe from foreign players and still give them leeway. The interesting one for me is Dummett. Rarely puts a foot wrong, possibly our most consistant player, 7/10 every game and kept every big winger he faced last year quiet. (had knockeart in his pocket) yet that lad gets ripped to shreds by fans whereas to all other teams fans hes a solid number yet some fans shout for Lazaar who against Birmingham put in the worst performance of a LB ive ever seen! eve! Another one who had the treatment was Adam Campbell with many calling for him to play ahead of international players yet he was never good enough by far. Similarly Lascelles, a great captain, good young English lad and technically by the opta stats one of our top 3 players last season yet fans clamour for Mbemba ahead of him who played terribly more than he performed well…

Wow! Rafa really does not give a toss about mincing his words! I like that. At least he’s telling us (fans) that the money is there and it’s just a matter of promises being kept and business getting done. Pretty much all we need to know.

I know he can antagonise the top brass and although that might not always be the wisest thing to do, at least you know when he stands with everyone.

Posada, good post on Arma mate. As for ST’s, I’ve moved back to the seat I had two seasons ago after the mix up last season, so mine will be in the post anyway. As will all those buying new ones. As far as I’m aware anyway, the club is issuing new cards all round this season, so even those renewing will get new ones.

Cheers Bobby. It’s a good set up at Bolton. Spent some time down there the last couple of years. Stadium is spot on. Not sure what style of play they go for which might be key. Styles are important as are tactics. Also, teams used to play with 2 strikers. Now it’s one. Consequently even harder to get a break.

Jay, agree on Dummet etc. Ages ago on here I said how would you feel if one of these local lads was your son or nephew. Over the Moon would be an understatement.

Plus all that crap about Tubbs promising that bloke £15 million – must say when I heard the story I did think that he could have made some empty promises to Rafa. Hope it is not a case of “Tubbs strikes again”.

Now’t changes with Ashley apart from an increase in his waist line, he is a born liar. We only have to go back to 2008 when Keegan quit because of his lies and false promises, that bloke suing fat boy for 14 Million for promises made to him in a pub I hope he wins as for the TOONS prospects under Rafa unless players Rafa wants to arrive do then all well and good but I for one will not be holding my breath. I can honestly see Rafa quitting in September when he finally realises that he has been flucked over by Ashley.

All you doom mongers shut the fcuk up signing number three confirmed Well done penfold keep playing hardball and bringing them in People should remember if it wasn’t for Ashley and his money we would probably be in non league football Not a nice bloke I grant you that but he is keeping to his word What do you want ?a signing every day GIVE YOUR HEADS A SHAKE FFS

Polls

Kacper Tylenda Website Designer

One of our avid readers Kacper Tylenda from Poland was the person who came in during April, 2017 and redesigned this web-site from top to bottom.

We think he did a fantastic job to modernize the site with the roll-out on Thursday May 18th surprisingly smooth.

I am so appreciative of his help.

Kacper is starting his own business in web-design so if you want a website built or know of people who want to redo their sites in any way – here’s his portfolio.

Transfers Summer 2017

Player

Fee

Club

INCOMING

Christian Atsu

£6.2M

Chelsea

Florian Lejeune

£8.8M

Eibar

Jacob Murphy

£10M

Norwich

Javier Manquillo

£4.5M

Atletico Madrid

Mikel Merino

£2.5M Loan – season

Borussia Dortmund

Kenedy

Loan – season – pending

Chelsea

Joselu

£5.0M

Stoke City

Transfer Fees In

£37.0M

OUTGOING

Vurnon Anita

Released

Aston Villa

Sammy Ameobi

Released

Bolton

Haris Vuckic

Released

FC Twente

Lubo Satka

Released

FC DAC 1904

Florian Thauvin

£10.0M

Marseille

Kevin Mbabu

£1.0M

Young Boys

Matz Sels

Loan – season

Anderlecht

Yoan Gouffran

Released

Goztepe

Adam Armstrong

Loan – season

Bolton

Lewis Gibson

£1.0M Up to £5M in add-ons

Everton

Daryl Murphy

£2.0M

Nottingham Forest

Ivan Toney

Loan – season

Wigan Athletic

Transfer Fees Out

£14.0M

Net Spend

£23M

Preseason Friendlies 2017

Club

Location

Date

Hearts Won 2-1

Tynecastle

Friday 14th July 7:45pm

Preston Drew 1-1

Deepdale

Saturday 22nd July 3:00pm

Bradford Won 4-0

Valley Parade

Wednesday 26th July 7:30pm

Mainz 05 Lost 2-1

Opel Arena, Mainz

Saturday 29th July 4:00 pm local time

Wolfsburg Won 3-1

AOK Stadium, Wolfsburg

Wednesday 2nd August 4:00pm local time

Hellas Verona Wopn 2-0

St. James’ Park

Sunday 6th August 3:00pm

football club

It’s the noise, the passion, the feeling of belonging, the pride in your city. It’s a small boy clambering up stadium steps for the very first time, gripping his father’s hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love.